[Reader-list] 'DIVERSION OF TSUNAMI FUNDS FOR TOURISM

[T Peter]

KERALA SWATANTRA MATSYA THOZHILALI FEDERATION
(KERALA INDEPENDENT FISHWORKERS FEDERATION) www.keralafishworkers.org
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PRESS RELEASE                                              18 October 2007,
'DIVERSION OF TSUNAMI FUNDS FOR
TOURISM LOBBY IN KOVALAM QUESTIONED'

Thiruvanathapuram: Plans by Kerala Tourism and the Harbour Engineering
Department to construct an artificial reef in Kovalam, by using funds from
the Central Government assisted Tsunami Rehabilitation Project, have come
under fire from the fishing community. Reports indicate that a New Zealand
based marine consultancy firm ASR 'Amalgamates Solutions and Research' Ltd
will be paid 4 crore rupees to construct a 500 metre long artificial reef
adjacent to Kovalam beach. The city based Centre for Earth Science Studies
(CESS) is reported to be in support of the project.

Tourism department officials claim that the primary purpose of the
artificial reef will be to break waves, thereby mitigating the potential
impacts of another Tsunami. Therefore the Tsunami Rehabilitation money
being tapped into. Tourism Department officials also claim that the reef
will help promote tourism activities such as water skiing, surfing and
swimming. Another plus is that the area encircled by the reef can be used
as a fish breeding ground. The reef is to be constructed with geo-textile
bags which will have a length of 50 metres and 5 metres in width.

'This is a clear cut case of Tsunami funds being diverted for the benefit
of the tourism lobby in the state', said T Peter president of the Kerala
Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF). 'We are raising
fundamental questions here; Who wants the reef and why?  And are there any
benefits to the fishing community', he questioned.

On the contrary KSMTF argues that fishing communities in Kovalam are
likely to lose their livelihoods as a result. Community based shore–seine
fishing in the area will be curtailed and at least 500 people will lose
their livelihood options. 'The fish breeding ground will be used for
'sport fishing' by tourists and will be of little use to the local
fishworkers', clarified Peter.

Peter also said the role of institutions such as CESS supporting the
project need to be examined. The ASR website has a CESS senior scientist
and ASR Managing Director Dr. Kerry Black as co-authors in a paper. 'This
is a potential case of conflict of interest and CESS' scientists support
for the project needs to be taken with a pinch of salt', he added.

KSMTF in a statement said that 'there is a need for a careful, evidence
based risk assessment of the potential social, economic and environmental
benefits of artificial reefs'. The Federation also stated that even if the
artificial reef is able to break waves, the potential impacts on
neighbouring villages such as Vizhigam and Panathura need to be assessed.
There are cases of such artificial barriers diverting waves to nearby
areas. Steps constructed at Shangumugham beach resulted in the diversion
of waves and a nearby road being washed away.

'We oppose the mis-utilisation of Tsunami rehabilitation funds for the
tourism industry. Public money should be used for public purposes and we
demand that the Kerala Government withdraw the proposed reef project and
instead consult with local communities to ascertain what their development
needs are', concluded Peter.
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For more information contact T Peter: + 91-9447429243. Email:
ksmtf at keralafishworkers.org
http://www.keralafishworkers.org
http://www.alakal.net